St Stephen's church, Newtown c1875

Balgowlah Heights

Home to the coastal Kuringgai people, much of Balgowlah Heights was virgin bushland until the early-twentieth century. Until this time the area mainly comprised public reserves and harbour defences, until the bush finally gave way to the backyard.

Bishop, Anna

One of the first world-famous musicians to perform in Sydney, Anna Bishop had scandalised London by leaving her husband. Her lover Bochsa died suddenly in Sydney in early 1856, after their first concert, and Bishop left soon afterwards.

Bochsa, Nicholas

A visitor with a scandalous past, harpist Nicholas Bochsa gave only one concert in Sydney before his sudden death. He was buried in St Stephen's cemetery, Newtown.

Dunbar shipwreck

In stormy weather, in the dark, after 81 days at sea, the Dunbar hit the rocks below The Gap, breaking up immediately. All but one on board were drowned, in one of the worst disasters in Sydney's history.

Spagnoletti, Ernesto

Two musicians by the name of Ernesto Spagnoletti, father and son, were prominent in the musical life of Sydney in the 1850s.

Christian church architecture

Church architecture in Sydney has at times been the most significant and exceptional in the architecture of Sydney. At other times, church denominations have settled on continuing a successful type, seeking to make a noticeable character across the region. As immigrants imported their traditions, they adapted to the materials and surroundings of the new country.

Death and dying in nineteenth century Sydney

In the newly settled colony, cemeteries were an important cultural institution in which the social order could be established and a person's identity within the community could be defined. Through the trappings of the funeral, statements of status, class and religion were constructed and inscribed upon the cemetery landscape.